Sterilizing apparatus



Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,983 H. A. FOSTER STERILI Z ING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1926 4 Shegts-Shet 1 y g 4 "'I 41 i J:- J i I; Inventor Er/Z Zbofar Attorney Nov. 27, 1928.

H. A. FOSTER STERILI Z ING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1926 4 Shee I rwentor Nov. 27, 1928.

H. A. FOSTER STERILIZING APPARATUS Filed 0012.8 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet Attorney Patented Nov. 27, 1928. i IUNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY A. FOSTER, OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA' STEBILIZING APPARATUS. Applicationfiled October 8, 1926. Serial No. 140,374.

This invention relates to. an improved terial is interposed between these parts to sterilizing apparatus which is especially,'but provide a fluid-tight joint. In this connecnot necessarily, adapted for use by dentists tion it might be stated that the drawer is profor thoroughly cleansing their instruments vided with an external knob 10, anda ther- 60 '5 hand-pieces, et cetera. V mometer 11. That portion of the compart- Briefiy, the invention embodies a unitary ment beneath the drawer forms a water and structure composed principally of three steam chamber. The normal water line is major parts; namely, a special cabinet for represented at 12 and means is provided for the instrument drawer, a superposed horiautomatically maintaining the water at this 65 zontally disposed sterilizer tor a hand-piece normal level, the means comprising a water and an intervening horizontally disposed supply pipe 13 having a valve casing 14 at its electrical means constituting a heater for an top and a valve 15 located therein. Connected antiseptic solution which is used in associato the valve through the medium of linkage tion with the device. and a supporting bracket 16 is a'tloatcarry- 70 15 The invention is characterized by'such ading arm 17 on which the float 18 is mounted; vantages as compactness and convenience of Connected to the right handend of the "float arrangen'ient of parts, rapidity in handling are two special links 19 and 20, one being and use, and practical application of sanitary hinged to the float and the other being hinged science, I v to the wall of the casing, both of these links 75 20 The more specific features of construction having curved portions pivotally connected and advantages derived from their use will together as at 21. Closely related to the mech become apparent from the following descripanism just described is blow-oft valve 22 on tion and drawings. the upper end of apipe 23, which is connected In the drawing: with the water compartment below the level 25 Figure 1 is a front elevation of the comof the water. In this pipe is a control valve plete apparatus, 1 24-.

Fig. 2 is 'a side view of the same, a Attention is now to be temporarily confined Fig. 3 is a. vertical section through the lower to Fig. 1 wherein the details of the sterilizer cabinet, 2 areshown more plainly. This part "com- 8 Fig. 4; is a longitudinal section through the prises a cylindrical horizontally disposed hand-piecesterilizer, and i body including three detachably connected Fig. 5 is a section through the electrical sections 25,26, and 27 respectively, The parts heating device. 7 2 5 and 26 are provided with partition walls As beiorestated, the apparatus comprises 528 and 29, thus forming three chamber-s30, 9o

three main parts, the cabinet designated 31 and 32 The chamber 32 is adapted to acthe reference character 1, the horizontal commodate air under pressure from a suitsterilizer by the reference character 2, and able'source of supply (notshown). The-chamthe electrical heating device or coil by the her 31 is adapted to contain and act as a reserreiierence character 3. Each part will be convoir for an antiseptic solution, while the 95 40 sidered in detail. chamber constitutes a mixing chamber for Directing attention first to Fig. 3,it"will the solution, spray and steam. Connected to be seen that the cabinet comprises a box-like the end wall of the air chamberis the supply casing 4; of metal, the same being open at its pipe 33 which cooperates with a compressed top and a removable cover 5 beingprovided air conducting pipe 3 1leading into the anti- 4.5 for said'open top. At the bottom and on the "septic chamber 81 andalso into a cylinder 34? interior is a. horizontal partition 6 dividing which is located in said chamber. This chamthe casing into upper and lower compartber 31 is provided with a suitable filler neck 35 ments. In the lower compartmentand supand a-closing cap 36. The partition 28 carries ported on the under side of the partition 6 is suitable fittingsB'Z and 38 which serves to con- 50 an electrical heater 7 of suitableconstruction. nect the cylinder 34: thereto. Located in this Disposed in the upper compartment near the cylinder is a plunger 39 cooperatingvwith the 1 top are supporting ledges 8 upon whichth'e coil spring 40. This plunger includes a valve instrument drawer 9 is slidably supported. seat and a spray nozzle 4L1, the nozzle pro- It will be noted in Fig. lthat the face plate j'ecting through and beyond the fitting 37 and of the drawer bears against'theouter front having a flat apertured end. It will be noted wall of the cabinet and suitable packing new that a substantially L-sha-ped pipe 7 is as- Moreover,

sociated'with each part, the sameincluding a depending branch 42 extending down into the antiseptic fluid in the reservoir and a. horizontal branch 43 extending through an opening in the plunger and terminating in a valve head 44. This valve head cooperates with the adjacent valve seat in the manner clearly obvious from the drawings. 3

A conventional form of hand-piece is generallydesignated by the reference charac'ter 45. Among other parts, this device includes the burr-holder 46, flexible drive 47, sleeve 48 and surrounding flanged collars 49 and 50, these being connected together in the relationship shown at the left-hand end of Fig. 4. y In this connection I would state that the adjacent end of the section is constructed to provide means for permitting the hand. piece to be inserted into the chamber to suhj ect it to the action of the antiseptic spray. The means comprises a guide composedof parts 51. and 52. This guide is stationary, and relatively movable means is associated therewith. The means comprises a bushing 53 and a detachably connected annulus 54 including suitable packing means. The annulus includes a flange which projects beyond the part 51 of [the guide and this serves as a mounting for a pair of special linger latches 55. These latches are constructed to provide seats for the forefingers' and include hook-shaped portions cooperating with keepers on the 001- lar 49 for maintaining theilatches in holding position. It will be noted that spring means is associated with the slidable part so that it may, move inwardly a limited distance. If desired, the air compartment 32 may be provided with a guage'56.

Attention is now again directed to the electricalcontrivance 3 represented in Fig. 5. As here shown the same comprises an elongated cylindrical casing 57 having a core 58 carrying electrical heating elements 59 supplied from a conductor 60.

As shown. in the assembled Figs. 1 and'Q, the sterilizer 2 is supported on appropriate legs 61 which are connected to the removable cover for the cabinet 4. An appropriate con nection 62 is provided for hanging the part from the under side of the part 2; A pipe connection '63 is bowed between parts 2 and 3 and a control valve G4is provided therefor.

In addition, a pipe connection 65 is had between the other end of the part 3 and the aforesaidcabinet 1. I

It will be understood from the foregoing that when the water in the cabinet is boiled under the action of the electrical heating means 7, itwillbeconverted into steam for. steaming and cleaning the instruments in the instrument drawer 9. Obviously, when the steam assumes an excessive or abnormal pressure, it may blow off or through the blowoff device 22 after the valve 24 is opened. when the water goes below a pretainer is forced determined level, the automatic" float device comes into play and opens the water supply, 3

is inserted through the guide and retaining in detail and the latchesare i device explained hooked in place to hold it in position. Then This avoids the' the spring-pressed movable part of the re inwardly by manual pressure to bring the part 46 intoenga-gement with the perforated end of the nozzle 4l. In so doing, the plunger 39 is forced inwardly against the action of the spring to unseat the valve 44, thus permitting the air rmderpres sure to pass from the compartment 35 through the pipe 34 and into the cylinder 34. The air under pressure rushes in between the branch 43 and the opening around the same and passes beyond the valve 44', and also around the plungers, valve 39 and thence through the opening of the primary mixing chamber creating a suction, which draws the antiseptic solution in the chamber 31 with it, thus producing a spray which is e ected through the nozzle 41 and onto the parts 46 of the hand-piece. On the withdrawal of the hand-piece the valve closes and the action just explained ceases. A part or a portion. of the spray now drains downwardly through the valved pipe 63 and is subjected'to heat in the electrical heating device 57, and passes on further through the pipe 65 and drips into the aseptic drawer in the aforesaid sterilizing cabinet, thus subjecting the instruments in the drawer to a constant antiseptic drenching. It is also obvious that by opening the valve 64 in the pipe 63, steam rising from the cabinet may be allowed to pass throughthe electrical device 57 into the mixing chamber 30. This action both cleanses and dries oii' accumulations of germs and bacteria. Thus, thehand-piece not only receives the antiseptic bath, but is subjected to a mechanical impact of the antiseptic spraywhich hassuch force as to absolutely remove all bacteria from the crevices in the metal. By suspending the device on an appropriate'bracket, it will be always in position so that the dentist may simply turn halfaround, insert the hand-piece and clean it ina few seconds. ments may be placed in the drawer and the drawer pushed in to be subjected to the cleaning operation.

By considering the detailed description in connection with the illustration sh own in the drawing, a clear understanding of the con struction and operation of the invention will be obtained. Many advantages other. than those specifically referred towill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. In View of this, a more ice Also, after each operatlon, the instrulengthly description is thought unnecessary.

lVhil-e the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim: I

1. In a. structure of the class described in combination, an instrument cleansing cabinet including an instrument drawer, and a superposed device carried thereby and constructed for subjecting a dental hand-piece to the sterilizing action of an antiseptic spray. and

. means interposed between the antiseptic device and the cabinet for conductin a portion of the antiseptic solution from said device into said cabinet, where it is deposited in said instrument drawer.

2. In a sterilizing device of the class described, a casing divided into a compressed air chamber, an antiseptic solution chamber, and a mixing and, spray-receiving chamber, the last named chamber being constructed for introduction oi a part of a dental hand-piece to be sterilized, means aii'ording communication between the air chamber and the solution chamber, and a. valve-controlled device associated with the solution chamber and adapted to be rendered operative by the pressure of the hand-piece against said device.

3. In a sterilizing apparatus of the class de scribed, a casing composed of three separably connected sections which when connected together provide closed ends and centrally spaced partitions, dividing the casing into three independent compartments, one compartment forming an air pressure chamber, the next compartment forming an antiseptic solution container and the remaining compartment forming a mixing and spray chamher, a compressed air pipe connected with said air chamber, a cylinder supported in saidsolution chamber, a communicating pipe connection between the cylinder and said air chamber, a solution conducting and delivcry pipe associated with said cylinder, a plunger slidable in said cylinder and cooperable with the solution pipe for controlling the supply of air through the cylinder, said plunger including; a spray nozzle, located in said mixing chamber, and a guide and retaining device for a hand-piece carried by the end wall of said mixing chamber.

In testimony- Whereof I afiiX my signature.

HARRY A; rosrnn. 

